Town leader livid about finance board about-face on budget

Nanci G. Hutson

Updated 11:11 pm, Thursday, April 18, 2013

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What it meansThe tax difference between the first proposed town and school budget of $59.4 million to the $59 million budget is $56.60 a year, based on an average assessment of $239,480.

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BROOKFIELD -- First Selectman Bill Davidson is calling for the Board of Finance to show the "courage'' to have a a special meeting next week to debate the consequences of Tuesday's 4-2 decision on the 2013-14 budget.

Calling their action a "bait-and-switch,'' Davidson said he believes the public deserves to understand that the further cut of about $400,000 could jeopardize the hiring of at least one of two proposed school resource officers a number of parents campaigned to get into the district this coming year.

"It's disgraceful,'' a disgusted Davidson said Thursday morning.

In the last week of March, the finance board adopted a proposed $59.4 million budget that was debated at a public hearing a week ago. On Tuesday night, the board reversed its position on a budget that represented a 4.67 percent spending increase to one that now is just over 3.9 percent.

The tax increase would be 3.5 percent, or 3.1 percent without the $230,000 for two school resource officers.

They accused the Republicans of changing their minds due to political pressure that prompted a caucus that led to two members, Phil Kurtz and Irv Agaard, changing their votes.

Caucuses are legal, but Davidson and the others said this was done outside public sight and led to a different budget proposal than the one residents were given a chance to consider.

The budget meeting Tuesday was held during the school spring break, and was not televised as is typical.

"No courage, no guts, no conviction,'' Davidson said of the finance board where he once served as chairman. "I'm just beside myself.''

Board of Finance Chairman Jerry Friedrich said he understands this budget has engendered different points of view.

Still, he said, he sees no reason at this time to call a special meeting to revisit the matter before the town meeting on May 7. He will, though, at least talk with Davidson about such a request.

"I try to be as fair as possible,'' Friedrich said, noting this week's meeting was conducted within the charter guidelines.

On the matter of hiring school resource officers, Friedrich said the board's intent was to supply the funds to do so. If further cost controls are required to assure those priorities are fulfilled, Friedrich said that is up to the town administration.